Buyers Market Will Help Connect Smithsonian and ArtistsBALTIMORE (March 28, 2011) — The Smithsonian’s search for new American-made products for its museum stores has come to the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Smithsonian Enterprises officials have said they will welcome suggestions and consider products from Buyers Market exhibitors. They plan to send buyers to the summer Buyers Market wholesale tradeshow in Baltimore this July 11-13.

In addition, the Smithsonian officials will meet this spring with Wendy Rosen, producer of the Buyers Market, to consider suggestions and products from exhibitors who might help them fill their immediate need:The Smithsonian has announced that in July, the merchandise in one gift shop, “The Price of Freedom” store located in the National Museum of American History, will be replaced exclusively with American-made goods.

The Buyers Market will help by canvassing its exhibitors for small, affordable gift products that can work as a keepsake or souvenir. Artists interested in receiving more information about this opportunity should e-mail info@rosengrp.com. Learn more about the store and the exhibition it accompanies at the Smithsonian’s website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/ and at The American Made Alliance, www.americanmadealliance.org.

The staff of the Buyers Market approached the Smithsonian in March, while ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer was broadcasting a series of stories about Made in America products. ABC’s reporters had visited the Smithsonian, and later had talked with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who was outraged because most items in the museum stores are made in China while America’s economy has been suffering. Smithsonian officials met with Sen. Sanders and pledged to seek more American-made merchandise for its museums and to restock “The Price of Freedom” store.

Founded in 1981, the Buyers Market is the nation’s largest wholesale tradeshow of U.S. and Canadian artists who produce handcrafted products, jewelry and home and fashion accessories, carried by jewelers, museum stores, galleries and gift shops.